NTB resident feels 'in limbo'

Friday

Some Onslow County residents were anxious enough about their property to venture out and try to see any damages firsthand.

Cameron Kuegel, of North Topsail Beach, said he and his family evacuated the island Wednesday night and are staying at a friend's house at the North Shore Country Club. On Friday, he said he made a trip to the high rise bridge hoping to see his condo.

"It's a total whiteout still, you can't see over the waterway," Kuegel said.

And as of Friday afternoon, Kuegel said the bridge to the island is blocked off by police. Landmarks of Sneads Ferry, including the Sneads Ferry Boat Ramp and oyster house, are underwater. But, he said he expected to see worse damage.

"I'm fully prepared to have 8 feet of water in my garage," Kuegel said. "We did all the preparation we could ... we covered things in garbage bags in case we lose our roof and got everything that we wanted out."

Unfortunately, Kuegel said he did not find the answers to the fate of his house just yet.

"We're still kind of in limbo, we don't know what happened on the North End," Kuegel said.

North Topsail Beach Mayor Dan Tuman said the dunes held up over the beach following the arrival of Hurricane Florence, and police reported over wash from town hall to the north end of the island, but no over wash near the road to town.

As of 4:45 p.m. Friday, Tuman said town hall -- along with NTB itself -- is closed and Jones-Onslow has yet to access any damage to power lines. He said while conditions are not yet safe for crewmen to do work, the town is putting together a plan following the storm.

"Public works needs to get out there and figure out (what needs done)," Tuman said.